Significant change to Thursday night and Friday snow forecast

Meteorologists at Environment Canada expect the snow to begin to taper off sometime late this afternoon across the central region of the province.

Snow moves in as early as 10 PM tonight in areas around Berrien County. The Chicago area could see up to another half inch of snow near O'Hare overnight from Saturday to Sunday, with an inch or two possible further south. "Not as much snow is expected but 1-4" can not be ruled out from I-80 to the southern border of the state by late Saturday.

A significant storm is expected to descend on Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee Thursday evening and Friday, with heavy snow and freezing temperatures expected to slow travel for millions of commuters.

Airlines were already canceling flights for Friday.

Hundreds of schools closed in Detroit due to the storm, as well, with between 6 and 9 inches of snow expected to fall through Friday.

In the Calgary area, the agency is forecasting 25 to 35 centimetres of snow while some areas in the mountain parks and the Foothills could get as much as 50 cm.

Four major USA airlines - Delta, United, Frontier and Southwest - issued weather waivers for passengers, allowing travelers to change their reservations without incurring fees. Court closings were reported in Chicago and Detroit, and driver's license offices were shut in the Chicago area.

Plan on slippery road conditions. Still, the city experienced dozens of auto crashes Thursday evening and early Friday.

Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner John Tully said 300 salt-spreading plows hit the streets late Thursday and would continue their work through the weekend.

Schools in metro Detroit are closed Friday and snow emergencies were declared in six southeastern MI counties. Classes were also canceled in the city's suburbs.